Training & Nutrition - Knee (?) Pain--not sure what's up

I have recently been experiencing an intermittent pain *above* my right knee. It seems to be localized to the top, outside portion of my femur (very close to that bony bit you and feel when you are seated and put your hands on your knees)

I only experience the pain when climbing out of the saddle and I notice it most when I pull up on the “down” peddle; if I don’t pull up but merely transfer my weight to the other leg, the pain doesn’t seem to show up.

I’m perplexed as to the cause because you’d think if it were directly related to my technique, that I’d experience it in both legs. I’m also not sure why it only appear when I’m climbing since I surely use the same muscle when seated (?).

I searched the forums and some book that I have on sports medicine and haven’t seen this problem mentioned.

Anybody else out there experience this of have any good guesses? (I’m hoping to avoid a trip to the medical library.)

Thanks

I'm no doctor but.....

I have had some problems in the same area (upper, outer knee?). One time, it was just some tendon imflamation that was quickly cured with some icing, and stretching (when warm, of course). The other time was bursitis (same treatment) which took a lot longer to repair, but I could ride with it.

I used to be skeptical about icing (I use frozen peas :) ), but i'd go so far as to say it's amazing. One tip though, I make sure I'm innactive for at least 1/2 hour after icing. I don't like walking around when the tendon is "frozen" -- I wait until it's warmed up a bit before I even move.

I'm no doctor but.....

I have had some problems in the same area (upper, outer knee?). One time, it was just some tendon imflamation that was quickly cured with some icing, and stretching (when warm, of course). The other time was bursitis (same treatment) which took a lot longer to repair, but I could ride with it.

I used to be skeptical about icing (I use frozen peas :) ), but i'd go so far as to say it's amazing. One tip though, I make sure I'm innactive for at least 1/2 hour after icing. I don't like walking around when the tendon is "frozen" -- I wait until it's warmed up a bit before I even move.

Thanks for the tip. I think you're right--looks like mild tendonitis of the right quad, exacerbated by over extending my leg while standing. (wow, re-reading that makes it should like I know what I'm talking about ;) )

I've been using a NSAID but I know ice is better...peas, eh?

Thanks again!

I had the same problem and it eventually became chronic. I went to a fit specialist and he found a mis aligned cleat. The cleat had my toe pointing out and I was too far back on my saddle which exacerbated the problem. He remedied the situation and I have been pain free for years.

Buddy B

Hmmm, I too was wondering if the cleat might be a fault but my feet seem to be in a "natural" position when I ride (ie, I've got a moderate degree of float)

I also keep my saddle pretty far back, but if it were that I'd expect to notice it when seated (right?)--as it is, I *only* notice it when standing. Still, I might try moving it forward a tad.